Sunday 18 October 2009

3 Steps for Proper Windows Registry Maintenance

Author: Weisheng Wu

Since I'm going to talk about the Windows registry, it's better to give you a big picture of what it is before delving into the details. Let me put it this way, the registry is a hierarchical database in the Windows operating system, where configuration settings related to hardware, user preferences, memory setup, and applications are stored. You probably won't notice a need to fix any registry problems when your system is new, but as you use Windows for a period of time, your registry will become larger and larger, clustered with unnecessary and obsolete registry entries after software and drivers are removed from your computer.

To most PC users, the Windows registry is a mysterious and dark part of the operating system. Only experienced users would try to tweak it for enhanced system performance. It is widely agreed that invalid registry keys or entries are often the culprit of the majority of weird system errors and application installation/uninstallation problems. For instance, when a software package is removed, it is very likely that its remnants are still lurking in the registry. Without cleaning invalid registry entries, your system will be left with seeds for imminent trouble. In view of this, I'll cover the basic steps that average users can use to keep the registry clean and healthy with a few mouse clicks.

1. Back up the registry:

Be sure to back up your registry first before editing it. Making an incorrect registry modification could destroy any applications running on your system, even rendering Windows unable to boot in the worst scenario.

For Windows XP users: The best way to back up the registry is to use the System Restore tool. Click 'Start', point to 'All Programs', 'Accessories', 'System Tools', and then select 'System Restore'. Choose 'Create a Restore Point'. Click 'Next' and follow the directions.

For Windows 2000 users: The best option is to use the export capability in Windows' Registry Editor to create a full backup of the registry. Click 'Start', point to 'Run', type 'regedit', and press 'Enter'. Select 'My Computer' in the folder tree, select 'File', 'Export', and identify a file name and destination. Save the file on a CD disc or other removable media.

2. Clean the registry:

As I mentioned earlier, the longer you use Windows, the more cluttered the registry can grow because some applications don't remove all traces of themselves when they are uninstalled. Orphaned registry entries may cause such problems as slower performance, system lockups, and strange installation error messages. The more common result is a bloated registry that takes longer to be loaded.

Windows 95 comes with a built-in registry cleaning utility called RegClean, but Microsoft does not include it in their operating systems after Windows 95. You'll have to use third-party utilities. For the most comprehensive Registry scanning and cleaning, you may want to buy a utility like Error Doctor or Registry Fix. These utility suites provide advanced features that fully scan, optimize, and maintain the registry, and they all work with all versions of Windows from 95 through XP.

3. Fix a damaged registry:

For Windows XP users: Restore to a past restore point by clicking 'Start', pointing to 'All Programs', 'Accessories', 'System Tools', and then selecting 'System Restore'. Choose 'Restore my computer to an earlier time'. Click 'Next' and select a restore point from the calendar by clicking a bold date and then selecting a restore point. Click 'Next' and confirm the restore date by clicking 'Next' again.

For Windows 2000 users: There are two options available. The first one is to import a registry backup into the registry by using the 'Import' command on the Registry Editor's 'File' menu. The second one is to use 'Last known good configuration'. Here are the steps to do it - Restart the computer. Hold down the 'F8v key while your system is booting up. Select 'Last known good configuration' from the Startup menu with the arrow keys on your keyboard. Press 'Enter' on the keyboard to confirm your selection.

Conclusion

Knowing how to back up, maintain, and restore the registry is an important part of keeping your computer running smoothly. I want to stress that modifying the registry should be done with care in that incorrect registry entries made could destroy the Windows operating system.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory

About the AuthorWeisheng Wu has been a freelance technical writer for several years. For more information on Registry Cleaner Software, check out http://www.businessinfo.tw/LP/fixregistry.

Friday 18 September 2009

Keys To Finding The Right Spanish Language Software

Author: Vince O

Are you looking for Spanish language software? Looking for software to be a difficult challenge when it comes to learning the Spanish-language. There are many options out there and choosing the right program can seem very challenging. Here are a few tips that you can use to help you decide what program to pick. Thinking of most expensive program is not always the wisest choice to make

Conversational Spanish

When it comes to learning to speak the Spanish-language you want to learn conversational Spanish. Conversational Spanish is the ability to speak Spanish as well as understand what people are saying to you in the Spanish-language. It's not bad to know if you Spanish words and phrases but when you're speaking Spanish and someone assumes you understand more there going to talk to faster and use more Spanish words that you may not understand. If you understand conversational Spanish you'll never have to worry or doubt your Spanish-speaking ability.

Choosing the right course

Choosing the right course is important for your education of this language. Find a course that keeps you entertained as well as teaches you conversational Spanish. Focus on ones that teach grammar, nouns and verbs and proper pronunciation of Spanish words and phrases. Focusing on these key points going to ensure you're going to get the best Spanish course for your money

Product price

Don't jump on the first product that is either cheap or expensive. Courses range from $75-$400. Some Spanish courses can even be more expensive than $400. Choosing the right course really comes down to preference. What can the course offer you the other courses can't. As long as the course you choose focuses on grammar, nouns and verbs and teach you conversational Spanish paying $100 or so can be a very good investment.

Learning time

Each Spanish course teaches differently. The learning time that it takes for you to become fluent in a Spanish language can range from three months to a year. It really depends on how much you devote yourself to learning and how often you are learning. Because interactive software programs can teach anybody young or older the Spanish-language the learning time is really going to you. The more time to devote the faster you will learn

Spanish language software is a better way to learn than more traditional ways like hiring a tutor or going to Spanish-speaking classes. More traditional ways can cost more money and take more time. Using your home computer and Spanish interactive software programming you can cut down your learning time and the amount of money is good to cost you.

About the Author: If you have not found the right Spanish language software yet then visit http://www.ipod-spanishlearning.com/ipod-spanish-courses-reviewed.html to see a review of the top 5 online Spanish courses.

Saturday 8 August 2009

Many times people automatically think that they always need as much memory in their computer as possible. However, in reality, not everybody needs the maximum amount of RAM installed in their computer. The trick is to be able to identify the memory needs of your computer so that it has enough memory to perform the types of computer tasks that you generally engage in. By making this type of evaluation, you will be better prepared to know when you need to purchase computer ram memory.

One common reason for needing additional memory is operating system upgrades. For example, you will find that Vista requires more RAM than XP did, just as XP required more RAM than Windows 2000. As operating systems become more sophisticated, they require more memory to do their job. This takes away from the amount of computer memory that is available to your other computer applications. Whenever you upgrade your operating system, it is time to assess your computer's memory needs.

Upgrades of common business software are another thing that could create a need for more computer RAM memory. Just as with operating systems, business software gets more complex with each new version, and invariably it seems like the computer RAM memory needs increase. If you are installing new software on your PC, look at its memory requirements, and see if you need to upgrade.

In addition to the specific scenarios described above, there are times when you realize that your computer can just benefit overall from a computer RAM upgrade. Sometimes computers just do not have adequate memory to allow for efficient everyday usage. You might realize that it seems like things are taking longer than they should, or you can actually hear your hard drive working on tasks, such as coping, or editing large files. If this happens, it is a sign that you would benefit from a computer RAM memory upgrade.

About the Author: Shane is a total computer geek and enjoys upgrading his own computer ram memory. Find helpful tips on computer ram memory at http://computerrammemory.org.

Monday 13 July 2009

How To Backup PS3 Games With The Best PS3 Game Copying Software!

Author: Denny C.

Do you want to know how to backup PS3 games? Have you experienced the malfunctioning of one of your PS3 game discs? If yes, then you are not the only one. Luckily, there is a solution! Almost all video game players, who have been playing video game for a long time, have faced this problem at some point, and a vast majority of them are looking for the solution of this problem on the internet.

The malfunction of game discs is caused by wear and tear through repetitive and frequent usage of the disc, scratches and accidental droppings. This problem reduces the life of your favorite PS3 game which nowadays costs more than $50, and will result in your investment in expensive original game discs going to waste. This could prove to be a big blow to your budget, as you may want to buy the original discs of the games you like again and would preferred to spend the money on a newer game.

The answer to this problem is as simple as common sense. Backup your original PS3 game by making their copies on DVDs. However, what makes this seemingly simple solution complicated is the fact that original game discs are protected by security encoding from Microsoft. This prevents you from simply copying the game DVD through any other DVD burning software. The solution is using specialized game copy software that will enable you to create a functional copy of the original game disc. You may have to spend a nominal amount on purchasing the software, but believe me, that will save you a lot of money in the longer run, and will prevent you from losing those precious games from your collection. The best part is that the duplicates run at the exact same speed as the originals and have the same graphics.

Want To Know How To Backup PS3 Games? Start Copying PS3 Games with this amazing PS3 Game Copying Software!

About the Author: I am an avid video game player and am greatly in love with my favorite gaming console, the Playstation 3!

Wednesday 11 March 2009

Web Survey - Improve Customer Experience and Create More Loyalty

Author: Amy Abney

From small or midsized companies, to the largest enterprises, web survey is being used worldwide. There is no better way for businesses to discover what drives customer loyalty, measure the level of customer satisfaction, retain more customers and test interest in new services and products. With web surveys you can measure the voice of the customer, obtain essential feedback and create a healthy flow of communication with your customers.

No matter if the experience with your company is good or bad; customers are more likely to become loyal, when given the chance to express their opinions and receiving a quick response back. Surveys can reinforce customer commitment when used as a vehicle to interact with the business. Not only can it help to keep more customers loyal, it can also help by improving your businesses' future financial performance. With more data and easily shared results, business owners can make more informed and effective decisions for the future of their business. Web surveys can also help you:

Let your customers to have a voice in shaping new and innovative services and products.

Measure and monitor the effectiveness of support programs, product changes and efforts in marketing.

Reach customer loyalty goals and better understand customer priorities.

Improve customer experience by resolving issues with real-time response

With new technology continually becoming available to us, it has now become easy to communicate with your customers through web surveys. Companies specializing in web survey solutions can help your organization create user friendly and flexible web surveys. Design the perfect questions and answers and gather necessary feedback immediately from customers. Gain a clear view of the service your customers are receiving, use valuable feedback from your customers to make improvements to your customer service and track your technicians' performance.

Using a comprehensive web survey solution can also help with seamlessly integrating the data from your surveys into your business systems. Easily create reports to monitor your information effectively. You can obtain complete control over the survey process and collaborate and share files/information throughout the organization.

Web survey has become an effective solution to building customer relationships and gathering critical information. There is software that can help you increase customer response to your web surveys and the quality and reliability of the customer data you receive. You can find the right solution to fit your needs, whether you have a survey that just needs to be administered or need to create one from scratch.

About the Author: Amy Abney works with Vovici, specialists in survey software and online surveys. Organizations worldwide, including more than half of the Fortune 500, rely on Vovici to gather feedback on customer satisfaction, perform market research and gauge employee satisfaction. For more information on web survey, visit http://www.vovici.com or call 1-800-787-8755.